CNN Student News Learning Activity: Lincoln's Words

(CNN Student News) -- Many people around the world consider Abraham Lincoln to be one of the most eloquent leaders of all time. Challenge your students to learn more about Abraham Lincoln by examining his words.

Procedure

Have students work in groups or individually to research one speech, letter or writing by Abraham Lincoln. (The Lincoln Bicentennial Web site in the "Don't Miss" section of this Learning Activity is a good place to start.) Direct students to answer the following questions about their selections:

What speech, order or letter did you choose?

When was it given?

What was its purpose?

What are some memorable lines and phrases from the selection, and what do they mean?

What does this document indicate about the challenges facing the United States at the time that it was written?

What does his choice of words indicate about President Lincoln?

Instruct students or groups to pose as newspaper writers in the 1860s and use their answers to write an analysis of the selected document or speech. Make sure that students include how they think that history might look upon what President Lincoln has said and how future presidents might seek wisdom in his words.